Hats the way to raise funds for brain tumour research as Milton Keynes folk sport their favourite head gear

MK New Era team celebrating Wear A Hat Day

Published:14:00Thursday 05 April 2018

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It was simply hat-tastic as businesses, schools and families across Milton Keynes donned their favourite head gear for Wear A Hat Day.

The annual fundraiser for Brain Tumour Research, based in Shenley Wood, brings in vital cash for the charity’s work and over the nine years since its launch has raised more than £1million.

Brain Tumour Research head office team support Wear A Hat Day

In Newport Pagnell, Julie Carter teamed up with the charity’s corporate partner Specsavers to hold a raffle, bucket collection and cake sale to drive awareness and raise funds for research into a disease that has affected her life.

Julie was diagnosed in 2005 with a low-grade brain tumour at the age of 23. Over the last 13 years she has undergone numerous operations and treatments to beat the disease, however due to its location options are limited.

Julie said: “Thousands of people are diagnosed with a brain tumour each year. Unlike mine, many can be cancerous and life limiting, meaning that treatment options are limited to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Helping fund more research into this disease is really important to me and I would like to thank everyone who donated, as it will make a big difference.”

In central Milton Keynes, staff at New Era Caps, a distributor of iconic baseball caps and beanies, got involved in Wear A Hat Day and also and competed in a baking competition at head office, during the event on March 29. Pupils from Thornton College held hat themed events to raise funds.

Julie Carter with the team at Specsavers Newport Pagnell for Wear A Hat Day

Funds raised by the annual Wear A Hat Day event is funding vital research that is taking place at the charity’s four dedicated centres of excellence, where scientists are focused on improving outcomes for patients and, ultimately, finding a cure.

Sadly, brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone, at any age. What’s more, they kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.

Carol Robertson, head of community fundraising for Brain Tumour Research, said: “It’s been great to see so many people from across Milton Keynes donning their hats and raising money for Wear a Hat Day 2018. We would like to thank everyone for their support. Every year thousands of people are given the news that they have a brain tumour and often the treatment options are limited. The money raised from these events will go towards pioneering research that is taking place at our dedicated centres of excellence.

To donate visit www.wearahatday.org or text HAT to 70660 to donate £5.